Johanna GB, 18 years old, CA | 2 DAYS WAITING

Wish submitted by:

CA DCFS - Los Angeles County

Johanna's life changed dramatically last year when she faced the sudden and traumatic loss of her mother due to a drug overdose. While grieving this unimaginable loss, Johanna also navigated her senior year of high school. She and her two younger teenage brothers, both on the autism spectrum, were placed with a relative. Despite the instability and emotional toll of these changes, Johanna remained focused on protecting and supporting her brothers. As soon as she turned 18, she made the courageous decision to move out on her own and take on the role of caregiver for her siblings, becoming both a parent and a sister to them. Currently, Johanna is attending college and majoring in health care administration. Balancing the demands of college while caring for her brothers requires immense strength, discipline, and maturity. Johanna's story is one of resilience, selflessness, and determination. Through grief, instability, and responsibilities beyond her years, she continues to move forward with purpose, building a future for herself while ensuring her brothers are safe, supported, and successful.

A phone would significantly improve Johanna's life by enabling her to stay connected with her brothers. When one of her brother’s phones broke, she selflessly gave him hers to ensure he had a way to communicate. Currently, Johanna is using an old phone that frequently dies, making it challenging for her to stay in touch, respond in emergencies, and manage her daily responsibilities. Having a reliable phone would allow her to maintain consistent communication with her brothers and provide stability and peace of mind for their family.